University of Kansas

University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Campus Heritage Plan (Website)

Chartered in 1863 to provide the men and women of Kansas with "a means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various branches of literature, science and arts," the University of Kansas opened to students in 1866. In 1903 a Beaux-Arts campus plan was developed under the direction of noted landscape architect George Kessler. Today, the University's buildings represent the evolution of institutional architecture from Late Victorian Romanesque Revival through Beaux-Arts Classicism to Collegiate Gothic. With Getty support, the University will complete documentation and assessment of the campus landscape, revise National Register Nominations, and provide interpretation and treatment guidelines.

University of Kansas received a Getty grant in 2006 for $130,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Purpose of Grant

• Promote stewardship of K.U.’s historic campus by identifying, interpreting and protecting most important sites, architecture, and landscape design.
• Clear objectives of indentify, inventory and document historic resources.
• Commitment to stewardship of land

Planning Process

• Campus heritage plan follows established historic preservation planning process: historic context, historic resource inventories, treatment suggestions, development guidelines, and policies
• Adhere to Department of Interior standards for reservation / stewardship cultural landscape projects. Also, state of Kansas guidelines.
• Preservation planning utilizes criteria contained in significant cultural landscape.
• Landscapes must possess historical integrity.
• CHP builds on 2000 Campus Master Plan.
• Collection of historic documentation, development of treatment zones, completion of inventory.
• Development of graphics and photographs.
• Analysis of inventory and historical context
• Development of treatment and stewardship recommendations

Historic Designation

• National Register of Historic Places: Currently 5 buildings: Dyche Hall, Spooner Hall, Lippencott Hall, Bailey Hall, and Strong Hall. The study has identified 14 additional buildings with potential eligibility for registry listing.
• Study compliments Campus Historic Preservation Board (CHPB) review process.

History

• Eastern states and Frederick Law Olmstead influences in development of park like “picturesque” landscape movement and architectural building style.
• Location of university at Mount Oread for views
• Expansion from original 40 acre site.
• Influences of landscape architect George E. Kessler in development of campus plans
• Importance of “viewsheds”, topography, landscapes and ridge location to define K. U.

Outcomes

• Analysis of 10 major landscapes and sites, present treatment and stewardship recommendations based on Dept. of Interior guidelines.
• Treatments are preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or reconstruction
• Assessment and documentation of multiple campus buildings within an historic context
• Benefits of a stewardship vision are outlined
• Recommendations for actions on proposed projects
• Recommendations for policy, process and planning
• Recommendation: pursue a new cycle of master planning which would incorporate the Campus Heritage Plan
• Informative Appendices including Historic Resources Inventory, Historic Plant Materials, and Proposed “Viewsheds” Environs Analyses

Noteworthy landscape architect

• George E. Kessler